By BAKANG MOKOTO

The case against 21 suspected illegal miners who were arrested during a well-executed operation by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team at a mining shaft in Stilfontein near Klerksdorp on 10 October 2022 was postponed.

According to the Hawks, the operation followed weeks of surveillance into the alleged illegal mining activities of the accused. Fifteen AK47s, six hunting rifles, two shotguns, and one R5, boxes full of ammunition, explosives, and an undisclosed amount of money were confiscated during the raid.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said, one of the accused who was arrested at his home, is suspected of transporting food and goods to the illegal miners, while on site. He further said the accused vehicle was also seized.

“The state is studying the docket’s preliminary charges of conspiracy to commit robbery, possession of prohibited firearms, possession of ammunition, and contravention of the immigration act, and not ruling out a possibility of adding more charges.

“The accused appeared briefly at Stilfontein Magistrate’s Court and the case was postponed to 31 October 2022 for a formal bail application. Five of the accused have been confirmed to be South African citizens, while 16 are verified to be illegal in the country,” he said.

Mamothame added that, all twenty suspects have sourced the services of one private attorney while the remaining accused will source his own attorney.

He said the state intends to oppose bail.

“The Hawks were assisted by members of the Hawks’ Tactical Management Section, Special Task Force, National Intervention Unit, District Illegal Mining Task Team, Tactical Response Team, Bidvest Protea Coin, and Harmony Gold mine during a raid.

“All the suspects will remain in police custody until the next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

A murder case against Thabiso Moswane was postponed to 13 December 2022 by the Koster Magistrate’s Court. Moswane, who was arrested after he allegedly stabbed his mother numerous times and suck her blood will remain in custody. 

The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said a horrific incident took place in Mathopestad on 9 May 2022. According to Mamothame, a fight ensued between Moswane and the deceased, Kedisaletse Elizbeth Moswane (53).

“On arrival at the scene, police found Kedisaletse’s body inside a shack with numerous stab wounds. The police were informed that Thabang was allegedly seen drinking his mother’s blood after stabbing her.

“He was immediately arrested and appeared before the Koster Magistrate’s Court. The was postponed for a new legal aid attorney to be appointed and consulted,” he said.

He further said, Thabang’s previous attorney has relocated and withdrawn his services. Mamothame added that, in the next court sitting, the state is expected to share all necessary documents with the defense team in preparation for the trial.

Moswane has abandoned his bail and he will remain in police custody until the next court appearance.

taungdailynews@gmail.com 

By REGINALD KANYANE
A man has been arrested for a murder of a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke. Bongane Shebi (24) was nabbed on 15 October 2022 for allegedly killing Irish Mohokare,47, who was a nurse at Charon clinic.

Mohokare was just promoted to the position of Facility Manager two days before her untimely death. She was found dead with her throat slit open by her sister in a backroom that she was renting on 13 October 2022.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson in North West, Henry Mamothame said the murder case was postponed to 25 October 2022 for a formal bail application. 

Mamothame further said, the accused became a person of interest after police received information while doing investigations, that he was spotted not far from where the incident took place walking on with bloodied clothes. 

“The police then started looking for the accused and ultimately arrested him on 15 October 2022. Upon arrival at the police station, Shebi informed the police that he wants to tell the truth.

“He was subsequently taken in for a confession to be obtained and later took the police to point out where he had thrown away the bloodied clothes he was wearing,” he said.

Mamothame added that Shebi alleged that, he was in the company of another person, but the motive only became clear in the accused person’s confession that, he and another person intended to rob the deceased. He said, the accused also alleged that he is not the one who stabbed the deceased, but it was the person whom he was with.

“However, the police’s evidence obtained at the scene, indicates that only one person was at the scene at the time of the commission of the crime. The police investigations on the matter are continuing, while the accused will remain in custody until the next court appearance,” said Mamothame.

Meanwhile, the North West Premier, Bushy Maape said: “We are saddened by the brutal murder of Mohokare. It is shocking to continue to learn of brutal murders of women, despite the condemnation of these barbaric incidents.

“The new cases of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV&F) continue to be registered with the police. We cannot continue in this manner and we must create safer communities for women.”

He said it is gloomy that, Mohakare was killed only two days after assuming her new role of ensuring the provision of dignified healthcare to the people of Schweizer Reneke and neighbouring communities. Maape highlighted that, communities need to protect women and children by fighting the scourge of GBV&F.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

Monna wa dingwaga dile 40 o tlhotse a rototse matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mabapi le polao ya mosadi wa gagwe. Go begwa fa Thapelo Mojaki yo eleng moagi wa kwa motseng wa Kolong gaufi le Taung, a ne a tsatsanka mosadi wa gagwe, Matshidiso Mojaki (36) yo a ne a sa tlhole a dula le ene ka sekere le go mo lobela dintshi.

Tiragalo eno, e diragetse ka kgwedi ya Diphalane e tlhola matsatsi ale 9 mono ngwaga.  Go ya ka se sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, Thapelo one gape a tsatsanka ngwana wa gagwe wa mosetsanyana ka sekere pele a lebotsa phokoje.

“Re ka netefatsa fa mapodisi a kwa Taung ba batlisisa kgetsi ya polao, ga mmogo le ya go keteka ka maikaelelo a go tsenya dikgobalo. Seno se tla morago ga tiragalo e go begiwang fa Matshidiso a ile a tlhabiwa ka sekere, moo ebileng a feleletsa a latlhegetswe ke botshelo.  

“Go begwa fa moswi a tlhabilwe ke monna wa gagwe, Thapelo ka sekere. Go ya ka dipego, Matshidiso yo o neng a tsamaya le bana ba gagwe ba le bararo eleng basetsanyana ba babedi ga mmogo le mosimanyana go ya tirong fa a ne a tlhaselwa,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Go ya ka Mokgwabone, Thapelo Mojaki one a ikgorotsa mo tseleng le go kopana le moswi. Go kaiwa fa molatofadiwa ane a batla karata ya banka mo go Matshidiso, mme moswi one a mo kaela fa a sa e tsaya.

“Go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ne a ntsha sekere le go tlhaba moswi, mme one a tlhaba gape ngwana wa gagwe wa mosetsanyana pele ga a ka lebotsa phokoje.

“Tiragalo eno, ene ya begwa kwa sepodising, mme molatofadiwa one a tshwarwa mo letsatsing le le latelang. One a tlhageletse ka boripana fa pele ga kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno, mme kgetsi ene ya busediwa morago,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, mokwaledi wa lekoko la sepolotiki la EFF mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Amogelang Matuane are: “Jaaka mokgatlho wa rona wa sepolotiki wa EFF, re netefaditse gore go nna le lephata le le thusang ka dikgetsi tsa tshotlakako ya bong mo mokgatlhong wa rona.

“Mme maitlhomo le maikaelelo a lephata leno, ke go samagana le dikgwetlho ga mmogo le dikgetsi tsa tshotlhakakang ya basadi le bana. O ka ela tlhoko gore dikgetsi tsa tshotlakako ya basadi le bana digola letsatsi le letsatsi mo sedikeng sa rona.”

Matuane are, jaanong ha go ntse jalo, ba bone go le botlhokwa gore dikgetsi tseo di bewe leitlho. Are ke ka moo ba ne ba ile kgotlha-tshekelo ele maitlhomo le maikaelelo a bone go ka supa kemo-nokeng mo batswa-setlhabelong.

“Ha re bua ka tshotlakako ya bong, ga e diragale fela ko motho yo o sa mo itseng, mme le mogare ga malapa a mantsi tiragalo eo e tsaya karolo. Jaanong, re tlile go ema ba lelapa nokeng gore tshiamiso e diragadiwe kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa.

“Jaaka EFF, re tlile go baya kgetsi eno leitlho go fitlhelela tshiamiso e diragadiwa. Jaaka mokgatlho, rena le bagokaganyi go ralala sedika, mme re ikuela go botlhe ba ba itemogelang tshotlakako ya bong go ka golagana le bone,” Matuane watlhalosa.

O kaile gape fa seo se tlile go thusa thata, gonne ba tlile go buisana le mafapha a farologaneng a puso jaaka lefapha la katlatlelo-loago le go netefatsa fa batswa-setlhabelo ba bona thuso.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Ka BAKANG MOKOTO

Monna wa dingwaga dile 40 o tlhotse a rototse matlho fa pele ga kgotlha-tshekelo ya Taung mabapi le polao ya mosadi wa gagwe. Go begwa fa Thapelo Mojaki yo eleng moagi wa kwa motseng wa Manokwane gaufi le Taung, a ne a tsatsanka mosadi wa gagwe, Matshidiso Mojaki (36) yo a ne a sa tlhole a dula le ene ka sekere le go mo lobela dintshi.

Tiragalo eno, e diragetse ka kgwedi ya Diphalane e tlhola matsatsi ale 9 mono ngwaga.  Go ya ka se sebueledi sa sepodisi mo Bokone Bophirima, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone, Thapelo one gape a tsatsanka ngwana wa gagwe wa mosetsanyana ka sekere pele a lebotsa phokoje.

“Re ka netefatsa fa mapodisi a kwa Taung ba batlisisa kgetsi ya polao, ga mmogo le ya go keteka ka maikaelelo a go tsenya dikgobalo. Seno se tla morago ga tiragalo e go begiwang fa Matshidiso a ile a tlhabiwa ka sekere, moo ebileng a feleletsa a latlhegetswe ke botshelo.  

“Go begwa fa moswi a tlhabilwe ke monna wa gagwe, Thapelo ka sekere. Go ya ka dipego, Matshidiso yo o neng a tsamaya le bana ba gagwe ba le bararo eleng basetsanyana ba babedi ga mmogo le mosimanyana go ya tirong fa a ne a tlhaselwa,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Go ya ka Mokgwabone, Thapelo Mojaki one a ikgorotsa mo tseleng le go kopana le moswi. Go kaiwa fa molatofadiwa ane a batla karata ya banka mo go Matshidiso, mme moswi one a mo kaela fa a sa e tsaya.

“Go begwa fa molatofadiwa a ne a ntsha sekere le go tlhaba moswi, mme one a tlhaba gape ngwana wa gagwe wa mosetsanyana pele ga a ka lebotsa phokoje.

“Tiragalo eno, ene ya begwa kwa sepodising, mme molatofadiwa one a tshwarwa mo letsatsing le le latelang. One a tlhageletse ka boripana fa pele ga kgotlhatshekelo ya Taung mo letsatsing la gompieno, mme kgetsi ene ya busediwa morago,” Mokgwabone wa tlhalosa.

Kgabagare, mokwaledi wa lekoko la sepolotiki la EFF mo sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Amogelang Matuane are: “Jaaka mokgatlho wa rona wa sepolotiki wa EFF, re netefaditse gore go nna le lephata le le thusang ka dikgetsi tsa tshotlakako ya bong mo mokgatlhong wa rona.

“Mme maitlhomo le maikaelelo a lephata leno, ke go samagana le dikgwetlho ga mmogo le dikgetsi tsa tshotlhakakang ya basadi le bana. O ka ela tlhoko gore dikgetsi tsa tshotlakako ya basadi le bana digola letsatsi le letsatsi mo sedikeng sa rona.”

Matuane are, jaanong ha go ntse jalo, ba bone go le botlhokwa gore dikgetsi tseo di bewe leitlho. Are ke ka moo ba ne ba ile kgotlha-tshekelo ele maitlhomo le maikaelelo a bone go ka supa kemo-nokeng mo batswa-setlhabelong.

“Ha re bua ka tshotlakako ya bong, ga e diragale fela ko motho yo o sa mo itseng, mme le mogare ga malapa a mantsi tiragalo eo e tsaya karolo. Jaanong, re tlile go ema ba lelapa nokeng gore tshiamiso e diragadiwe kgatlhanong le molatofadiwa.

“Jaaka EFF, re tlile go baya kgetsi eno leitlho go fitlhelela tshiamiso e diragadiwa. Jaaka mokgatlho, rena le bagokaganyi go ralala sedika, mme re ikuela go botlhe ba ba itemogelang tshotlakako ya bong go ka golagana le bone,” Matuane watlhalosa.

O kaile gape fa seo se tlile go thusa thata, gonne ba tlile go buisana le mafapha a farologaneng a puso jaaka lefapha la katlatlelo-loago le go netefatsa fa batswa-setlhabelo ba bona thuso.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

Taung Magistrate’s Court has postponed a murder case against four men from Manthe village in Taung until 15 February 2023. The alleged drug lord and businessman, Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested a few months ago in connection with the brutal murder of the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

It is alleged that Mothibedi stole R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house two days before his ‘untimely’ death.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “The preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village near Taung, when the suspects fetched and transported him to Manthe village. Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted.

“After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to Manthe clinic by a group of men and requested nurses to check if he was still alive. However, Mothibedi was certified dead upon arrival.”

The case has been postponed for a possible pre-trial date. The National Prosecuting Agency (NPA) is also expected to engage with various state witnesses.

Meanwhile, three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family were torched by irate community members on 1 May 2022. Four individuals linked to the arson and looting cases were arrested.  

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

A murder case against a man from Mokgareng village, near Taung is expected to resume today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. Xolani “MacGyver” Sotshantsha was arrested a few months ago after he allegedly shot and killed a driver of Ramos Supermarket during an armed robbery.

According to information, Sotshantsha allegedly robbed the driver of an undisclosed amount of money. The incident took place along the Reivilo road that passes through Mokgareng village. Sotshantsha allegedly had information about the driver, who just collected money from a supermarket in Reivilo and was supposed to deliver it to his employers at Ramos Supermarket in Taung Central Business District (CBD).

He allegedly stopped the vehicle, shot and killed the deceased who failed to cooperate during the armed robbery. Sotshantsha is expected to do a formal bail application.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

A murder case against four men from Manthe village in Taung is expected to resume today at Taung Magistrate’s Court. The alleged drug lord Bakang “Mahomed” Katong (31), Thabang Lenyai (23), Phenyo “The Great” Katong (34), and Katlego “Makita” Mosimege (31) were arrested a few months ago in connection with the brutal murder of the late Thabiso Mothibedi (35).

It is alleged that Mothibedi stole R20 000 cash and cigarettes worth R600 from Katong’s house two days before his ‘untimely’ death.

The North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said: “The preliminary investigation revealed that on 29 April 2022, the deceased was at Lenganeng village near Taung, when the suspects fetched and transported him to Manthe village. Upon arrival, the deceased was allegedly chained to a generator and assaulted.

“After the assault, the victim was reportedly transported to Manthe clinic by a group of men and requested nurses to check if he was still alive. However, Mothibedi was certified dead upon arrival.”

The deceased’ sister, Boingotlo Mothibedi (37) said: “It is difficult to see my brother’s life being cut short by alleged drug lords. Even though Thabiso was not perfect, he was a peaceful person, who loved to engage positively with people.

“So, what happened to him is inhumane. We call on the justice system to deal harshly with the perpetrators. It is not only Thabiso’s life that has been lost because of drugs but so many lives of young people are being destroyed on a daily basis.”

She alleged that the perpetrators used her brother and killed him afterward.

Meanwhile, three houses and a bakkie belonging to Katong’s family were torched by irate community members on 1 May 2022.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

More than 10 female learners at Seabo Secondary School in Kokomeng village, near Taung are up in arms after the school principal, Lerato Lamola, and her deputy, Maria Mocumi ordered them to ‘undo’ their hairstyles or leave the school premises.

The incident over hairstyles took place last week Thursday. One of the aggrieved learners, who did not want to be named for fear of reprisal said: “We feel wrongly excluded over our hair. We were ordered to remove hairstyles like retro-chic looks, twin buns, and natural hair braids without using hairpieces, top knots, and boho braids.

“The principal and her deputy alleged that these kinds of hairdos are not allowed in the school. We think the school system has a problem with afro-textured hair. However, we are going to stand up against this wrongfully misplaced mentality. We now fear that this could be used against us at the end of the year.”

Another learner said, the hairstyles they have done are more effective and safe time, so teachers should stop stigmatising their hair. She further said those hairstyles are a necessary protective method for the maintenance and upkeep of afro hair.

“We continue to be penalised, often in the harshest possible ways for having afro hair. However, we say enough is enough against this discrimination. Even though we know that, this could be used against us at the end of the year, we will never be gagged for speaking the truth,” she said.

It is alleged that, a few weeks ago, a Grade 12 learner was deeply embarrassed in front of other learners by the same principal and her deputy simply because of her afro hair. The learners said an embarrassed learner was forced to straighten up her hair simply because teachers deem afro hair as deviant.  

“Teachers should understand that, we are black and they should stop with their draconian policies against afro hairstyles in schools. They are doing this to appease their gamut of 19^th century, which is racist ideologies,” she said.

Meanwhile, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi said: “The principal does not know of any new incident at the school. The only incident she recalls happened a while ago and it involves a Grade 12 learner.

“She came to school with a “Maphondo” hairstyle using brown pantyhose. The learner was requested to comb out the hair as it was not acceptable according to the school policy. She duly complied and the class was normalised.”

Malindi said the policy of the school allows only hairstyles using normal own natural hair and learners are continuously reminded about the school policy.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By OBAKENG MAJE

The heartfelt condolences messages continue to pour in after the brutal killing of a nurse in Ipelegeng Township, near Schweizer Reneke. Iris Mohokare, 47, who was recently promoted to the position of Facility Manager at Charon Clinic, was found murdered at her rented place on Thursday last week with her throat slit open.

The North West MEC for Department of Health, Madoda Sambatha condemned the atrocity and said Mohokare was murdered only two days after assuming her new role. 

“Mohokare’s murder is devastating and we called on communities to protect women. We condemn the atrocity in the strongest terms. We also appeal to anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the alleged killer to contact the police. 

“It is an unfortunate and disturbing reality that women in this country are no longer safe. Our communities and homes have become a haven for criminals, who prey on women and young girls,” he said.

Sambatha sent his heartfelt condolences messages to the bereaved family, colleagues, and friends.

Meanwhile, the North West police spokesperson, Brig Sabata Mokgwabone said: “We can confirm that the police are investigating a case of murder. The deceased was allegedly killed between 12 and 13 October 2022.

“It is alleged that the victim’s body was found on the floor in her rented room at about 06:30 am and the motive of the incident is unknown. No one has been arrested at this stage and an investigation into the matter is underway.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com